Researching Rape Trials: Methods, Ethics and Empirical Perspectives

Author: Susan Leahy; Eithne Dowds; Siobhan Weare
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 9781041010784
Published In: August 2026
Format: Hardback
Jurisdiction: U.K. ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

HKD 2,015.00

Download Order Form

Add to Wishlist
| Add to Compare

Description
Contents

Details

Rape trials are inherently complex, often operating differently to other criminal trials. These trials are also complicated by the impact of societal attitudes about sexual offences, often referred to as rape myths, which can influence jurors’ deliberations in rape trials. This book explores the variety of ways in which rape trials can be researched in order to determine how the laws in this area are applied in practice, and the extent to which attitudes and broader societal contexts can influence the trial process.

Divided into three parts, Part I offers a guide on best practice in the various research methods which can be adopted to study rape trials. These include interviews with practitioners and victim-survivors; analysis of trial transcripts; trial observations; and jury research. Parts II and III provide a thematic overview of a variety of international case studies, demonstrating the rich insights which empirical research on rape trials can produce. All of the chapters are written by leading experts who have direct experience of conducting empirical research in this area.The book will be a valuable resource for a range of academics, practitioners, stakeholders and policy-makers researching and working in the area of sexual violence.

Introduction

Susan Leahy, Eithne Dowds and Siobhan Weare

Part I: Research Methods and Ethics for Empirical Research on Rape Trials

1: Methodological and Ethical Considerations in Mock-Jury Research

Madeleine Millar and Siobhan Weare

2: Interviews with Professionals Who Work Within Rape Trials: Practical and Ethical Considerations

Eithne Dowds and Susan Leahy

3: Observing Sexual Offence Trials: Public/ Private Predicaments

Natalie Kyneswood

4: Research Design for Transcript Analysis Research Into Sexual Offence Trials

Julia Quilter and Luke McNamara

5: Interviews with Survivors